NASPA POLICY PUBLICATIONS & LETTERS OF SUPPORT:

NASPA Advisory Services provides mission-sensitive guidance to vice presidents for student affairs. Our services include expert reviews, guided self-assessments, and resources to enhance student affairs practice at the division level. In this post, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Joseph DeSanto Jones provides an overview of the Advisory Services P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E.S framework and how P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E.S. may be applicable for assessing the vitals of your division

IN THE NEWS:

In the 2017 fiscal year, University of California Berkeley accrued $894,000 on protest management in response to student protests regarding scheduled campus speakers such as Ann Coulter. Other campuses, such as Evergreen State do not have the kinds of resources available for campus enforcement to handle violent protests, and therefore rely on local and state law enforcement. Funding for additional support is expected to come from the university itself, resulting in new financial planning around how to best handle protests.

A Georgia campus carry bill went into effect July 1, allowing students with a gun license to carry a concealed firearm on public institution campuses. The implementation of the bill has garnered mixed reactions. One student mentions that students would bring guns on campus regardless, “But campus carry will give us an opportunity to defend ourselves if necessary.” A parent of a student is worried by the new policy labeling it as a “distraction.” Other parents want to prepare for the policy change by teaching their children to ask the right questions. Tammy Hagen states, “I’m going to try to educate my daughter to be aware of her surroundings, and to ask openly, ‘Are you carrying a gun?’”

This 2017 update on state policy details reforms at the local and state level regarding campus sexual violence. The report includes: campus climate survey outcomes; new prevention methodologies; advances on campus regarding safe reporting and accommodations; an outline of fair disciplinary procedures; funding and enforcement policies; and harmful polices to reject. As stated by Know Your IX, if you are interested in using these policies in your advocacy or state legislation, please contact [email protected].

In response to pushback at the unveiling of the Senate healthcare bill prior to the July 4 recess, Sen. Pat Toomey has announced that a revised version to be released on Monday, July 10. Once revised the legislation will still require a majority vote to repeal and replace the Affordable care Act. The new legislation will receive a new score from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and Toomey, who has been a part of the negotiations process from the start, believes this will be key in passing the bill. Another source, a GOP aide has not been able to confirm the release of legislation on July 10, and notes that should legislation be released a new score would not be expected until later in the week. President Trump has continued to urge Congress to pass a new healthcare bill and has indicated the August recess may be cancelled if Congress cannot come into agreement before the end of July.

The Department of Education will hold a public hearing all day on Monday as part of the renegotiation process for borrower defense to repayment and the gainful employment rule. Since the new administration took office, there have been consistent rollbacks to Obama-era servicer and institutional accountability policies. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has also delayed half a dozen federal student aid policies. In March institutions were given more time to conduct reviews under the gainful employment rule, and in June, DeVos sent the rule back to negotiations where it now risks permanent suspension. In kind, before borrower defense could take in effect on July 1, DeVos sent the rule into renegotiation. In response 19 Democratic state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against the delay of borrower defense. While advocates of rule-making revisions argue that the regulations would require an excessive amount of administrative overhead, opponents worry that delaying the effect of these rules will allow predatory for-profit institutions and servicer companies to continue to prey on students.

RELEVANT BILLS:

State Summaries

Bathroom Bills:

In the past few weeks we have seen a rising debate in Texas through the anticipated re-introduction of anti-trans legislation in the July special session. In the past few months other states have retreated from the conversation. So far, 16 states have introduced bathroom bills during the 2017-2018 state legislative sessions. Legislation has failed in AL, AR, KY, MT, SD, VA, and WY. WA HB 1011 was reintroduced through a resolution and retained in present status on 06/21/2017.

Sanctuary Campuses:

In the past few months, we have seen 11 states consider 18 pieces of anti-sanctuary legislation that would affect college campuses. 6 states have introduced (pro) sanctuary legislation that extends to college campuses. Of this legislation, 9 pieces have failed, and 15 are pending, and 4 have been enacted. PA HB 14 was removed from the table on 06/22/2017. CA SB 54, a statewide sanctuary bill is in Assembly and was amended and passed the Committee on Judiciary and was re-referred to the Committee on Appropriation on 07/06/2017.

Guns on Campus:

Upwards of 17 states are considering legislation concerning guns on campus during the current session. In the 40 pieces of legislation the Policy and Advocacy Team is tracking, 16 bills are pending, 20 have failed, and 4 have been enacted, in AR, GA, and OK. CA AB 424 was re-read, amended, and re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations on 06/27/2017. GA HB 280 went into effect on 07/01/2017.

Federal Summaries

Congress has been in recess for the holiday, but Senate has reconvened today, July 10, and the House convenes on July 11.

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